George Kirby
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Born Name:
George Kirby
Born Date: June 8, 1923
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: September 30, 1995
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Singer, master impressionist, comedian
Brief Biography: George Kirby became one of the first Black performers to achieve major crossover success during the Civil Rights era. Born and raised in Chicago, he was known for his "clean" comedic style and his uncanny ability to mimic both Black and white celebrities, ranging from Louis Armstrong and Pearl Bailey to John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart.
Early Life and Career Breakthrough:
Chicago Beginnings: Kirby grew up in a show business family and got his start in the 1940s at the legendary Club DeLisa on Chicago’s South Side.
Multitalented Performer: Before focusing on comedy, he was a bebop piano player and a stand-up blues singer; his first recording was "Ice Man Blues" in 1947.
Mainstream Success: In 1960, he became the first African-American comedian to open at New York’s famous Copacabana nightclub.
Television and Film Career:
Kirby was a fixture on television from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, appearing on nearly every major variety program:
Frequent Guest: He was a favorite on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Dean Martin Show.
The George Kirby Show: In 1972, he hosted his own variety and sketch series, Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour, which notably featured a young Steve Martin as a writer and performer.
Acting Roles: His acting credits included films like Trouble in Mind (1985) and guest spots on sitcoms such as 227 and What’s Happening Now!!.
Legal Troubles and Later Years:
Prison Sentence: Kirby’s career suffered a major blow in 1977 when he was arrested for selling heroin and cocaine to an undercover officer in Las Vegas. He served roughly 3.5 years of a 10-year federal sentence.
Redemption and Advocacy: Following his release in the early 1980s, he returned to performing and visited schools to warn students about the dangers of drug abuse.
Born Date: June 8, 1923
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date: September 30, 1995
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Singer, master impressionist, comedian
Brief Biography: George Kirby became one of the first Black performers to achieve major crossover success during the Civil Rights era. Born and raised in Chicago, he was known for his "clean" comedic style and his uncanny ability to mimic both Black and white celebrities, ranging from Louis Armstrong and Pearl Bailey to John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart.
Early Life and Career Breakthrough:
Chicago Beginnings: Kirby grew up in a show business family and got his start in the 1940s at the legendary Club DeLisa on Chicago’s South Side.
Multitalented Performer: Before focusing on comedy, he was a bebop piano player and a stand-up blues singer; his first recording was "Ice Man Blues" in 1947.
Mainstream Success: In 1960, he became the first African-American comedian to open at New York’s famous Copacabana nightclub.
Television and Film Career:
Kirby was a fixture on television from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, appearing on nearly every major variety program:
Frequent Guest: He was a favorite on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Dean Martin Show.
The George Kirby Show: In 1972, he hosted his own variety and sketch series, Half the George Kirby Comedy Hour, which notably featured a young Steve Martin as a writer and performer.
Acting Roles: His acting credits included films like Trouble in Mind (1985) and guest spots on sitcoms such as 227 and What’s Happening Now!!.
Legal Troubles and Later Years:
Prison Sentence: Kirby’s career suffered a major blow in 1977 when he was arrested for selling heroin and cocaine to an undercover officer in Las Vegas. He served roughly 3.5 years of a 10-year federal sentence.
Redemption and Advocacy: Following his release in the early 1980s, he returned to performing and visited schools to warn students about the dangers of drug abuse.